Big breeze for Big Boat Series

Sixty-five boats are entered for the 61st edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series on September 11-14 in San Francisco, CA. In 2025, six classes—ORC A, ORC B, ORC C, Express 37, J/105 and J/88—will compete twice daily for the first three days, with the final day to have one long course around San Francisco Bay.

“Rolex Big Boat Series now has more than 60 years of heritage, so the vibe is one of intense yacht racing with a nod to history,” said Adam Gambel, Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. “Like our club, this regatta is built on tradition and powered by innovation, having cycled from wooden yachts early on, to Maxis, to today’s significant one-design participation.”

The event is also serving as the ORC Pacific Coast Championships, and in 2026 will host the ORC North American Championship. Both PredictWind and SailFlow call for classic conditions with a building breeze each day, gusting into the 20s for the final race. The Perpetual Trophies and Rolexes will be awarded as follows:

ORC A
The St. Francis Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to the top finisher in the ORC A division. Donated anonymously to StFYC in 1966, the trophy was meant to encourage competition between large offshore racing yachts.

ORC B
In addition to a Rolex Submariner Date for the skipper, the winning crew of the ORC B class will receive the City of San Francisco Perpetual Trophy, which has been awarded at RBBS since 1968.

ORC C
The ORC C class will race for the Keefe-Kilborn Perpetual Trophy, named in honor of late StFYC members Harold Keefe and Ray Kilborn.

J/105
On the line for the J/105 one-design class is a Rolex Submariner Date for the winning skipper, as well as the Commodore’s Cup Perpetual Trophy.

J/88
The Atlantic Perpetual Trophy will go to the winner of the J/88 one-design class. The trophy features a ship’s bell from the 1905 Transatlantic-record-breaking schooner Atlantic.

EXPRESS 37
The nine boats in the Express 37 fleet will compete for the Richard Rheem Perpetual Trophy, named for longtime StFYC member and skipper of legendary racing yacht Morning Star. They also race for the Pacific Coast Yachting Association’s Jesse L. Carr Trophy, which is conducted in conjunction with a carefully chosen sailing regatta and intended to recognize the achievement of a sailing crew participating in a one-design portion of a larger regatta.

Event information – Race details – Results

Source: BBS